Spoiled by the President novel Chapter 478

“It truly is that. It’s actually in your hands. This item has been lost for so many years, is it genuine?”

Old Master Leith clearly recognized the item inside the box as his face was flushed with excitement. The moment his pale hand touched it lightly, his body trembled.

Gale Shelby did not speak but simply smiled beside them.

Nell saw how excited Old Master Leith was, so she asked, “Grandpa, do you know what is this?”

Old Master Leith nodded.

Then, his expression changed.

“You’re right. This gift is too precious, we cannot accept it lightly.”

He straightened up to look at Gale. All the excitement from earlier disappeared from his aged face and instead, his gaze turned sharp.

“Tell us! What are your intentions for bringing this item here today?”

Gale smiled and took a sip of tea. He replied in a leisurely tone, “Old Master’s question is strange. My niece just got married, what other intentions would I have, other than to give her a present?”

Old Master Leith snorted. “Do you think I’d believe this kind of nonsense?”

After a pause, he continued with a standoffish tone, “Others may not know the true nature of the Shelby family, but I know it very well. You would not do anything that does not benefit you. You brought such a valuable gift and yet claim that you expect nothing in return. Unless the sun rises from the west, that is impossible.”

Nell and Gideon were slightly surprised by Old Master Leith’s choice of words.

Gale chuckled.

“Old Master’s words are unreasonable. The gift is for Nelly, whether she wants to accept it or not is up to her. If you choose to judge a gentleman with the heart of a crook, then I cannot say anything. However, I’m afraid not everything is up to your decision.”

Old Master Leith’s face was flushed upon hearing Gale’s reply.

There was a long pause before a snort was heard.

“Gentleman? Hmph! If you are a gentleman, then there are no more crooks in this world!”

Gale Shelby did not come to fight with Old Master Leith today. Although the two of them had fought countless times before, Gale was clear about his purpose for coming here today.

Despite the provocation by Old Master Leith, Gale did not respond. He simply gazed at Nell with a sparkle in his eyes.

“Nelly, do you know what this is?”

Nell pursed her lips and shook her head.

“Have you heard about the legend of Heshi’s Gem?”

Nell was startled. Of course, she knew about the famous legend. Even those who had only gone to elementary school would know of it.

The precious jade that was worth an entire city had been regarded as a precious treasure ever since the Warring States Period. After a few thousand years, it was last seen during the late Tang Dynasty, before it vanished without a trace.

Thinking of the historical significance of this beautiful piece of jade, Nell’s heart began to race. She looked at the jade plate inside the box and suddenly made the connection. She was thoroughly shaken.

“You mean…”

Gale Shelby smiled cryptically, then stretched his hand to take the jade plate out of the wooden box.

“This jade was carved out of Heshi’s Gem. Since the beginning of the Warring States Period, Heshi’s Gem has been through countless dynasties and it survived them all. Emperor Qin had it made into a jade seal and passed it on for several thousand years until it was lost at the end of the Tang Dynasty.

“After passing through several hands, our ancestors were lucky to find it. Unfortunately, it had already lost its former glory from thousands of years ago and it was severely damaged. Our ancestors initially wanted to restore its original form, which was a jade seal, but it could not be done no matter how many craftsmen they sought. At last, they had no choice but to carve it into a jade plate.”

He handed the jade plate into Nell’s hands and said gravely, “This was your father’s most precious item when he was alive. He was born with a feverish disease, so he often hugged this jade plate to sleep. Now, I’m giving it to you. If you don’t want to accept it, then you can smash it. After all, your father is no longer here, he doesn’t need it anymore. No matter how beautiful this piece of jade, without any purpose, it is just a speckled rock.”

Nell felt her palm sink slightly. The cold jade plate was in her hands.

“Mr. Shelby, since Grandpa doesn’t want to accept it, then you better take it back!”

Gale frowned.

“Nelly, you have to think about this. Even if you don’t care that it is your father’s bequest, it is still valuable…”

“I have thought about it clearly.” Nell’s tone was smooth and there was a calm smile on her face.

“Precisely because I know its value, I cannot accept it. Mr. Shelby, if I were you, I would donate it to the country. This is the country’s lost treasure, which contains thousands of years of cultural heritage. It should not belong to an individual. If you are sincere, please return this relic to the country. Then, I will accept your goodwill.”

Gale was taken aback. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that Nell would say those words.

After a while, he broke into a chuckle.

“What you said… make me feel a bit ashamed now.”

Nell pursed her lips and did not reply.

The group sat around for a while, but after Nell rejected Gale, he became somewhat silent.

He sat there without speaking, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Later, when it was time to eat, he did not stay for dinner and instead left in a hurry.

Nell and Gideon, on the other hand, ate dinner before they left.

Fengqiao Villa was situated in the villa neighborhood on a hill. The scenery was picturesque and the air was fresh.

Both of them had a little too much to eat, so they got out of the car halfway and sent Matthew away. Instead, they walked back home to help digest the food they ate.

They were at a high enough altitude on the hill to see the lights coming from thousands of households. The sea of lights illuminated the entire city with an opulent glow.